Warning
GeneralA maximum of two motor vehicles, one vehicle with a trailer, one motorhome with tow vehicle or four motorcycles allowed per campsite. A maximum of four tents OR one wheeled camping unit and one tent allowed per campsite. Only 1 conversion van or other type of recreational vehicle allowed per site. Two (2) conversion vans or RVs require 2 campsites.
Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates29 total sites
RV Sites
28 sites
Tent Sites
1 site
About Cottonwood (Big Bend, TX)
Number of accommodations: 29
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
General Store
Pet friendly
Picnic Table
Fire Pit
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
- Grill
- BBQ
- Fire Pit
On Site Services
- General Store
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
Rates, Sites & Availability
29 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
29 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (578)
What Guests Are Saying
Cottonwood Campground offers a peaceful and quiet atmosphere, ideal for those seeking a low-key experience near Santa Elena Canyon. While many of the original cottonwood trees have been lost, leading to reduced shade and some disappointment, the campground still provides a clean and well-maintained environment, with friendly staff and decent facilities. Visitors appreciate the beautiful surroundings, wildlife sightings, and proximity to hiking trails, making it a worthwhile spot despite its recent challenges.
What Guests Are Saying
Cottonwood Campground offers a peaceful and quiet atmosphere, ideal for those seeking a low-key experience near Santa Elena Canyon. While many of the original cottonwood trees have been lost, leading to reduced shade and some disappointment, the campground still provides a clean and well-maintained environment, with friendly staff and decent facilities. Visitors appreciate the beautiful surroundings, wildlife sightings, and proximity to hiking trails, making it a worthwhile spot despite its recent challenges.
Review Summary
Rebecca R
VerifiedMay 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 030, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Well-spaced sites at this campground. Number 30 has shade over the bear box and picnic table from mid-afternoon on, which was appreciated in the heat of late April. The only knock I have on Cottonwood is that if anyone arrives late at night or leaves very early, the entire campground hears the vehicle
Cameron C
VerifiedMay 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
This was a lovely campground. The sites were very spacious and the dogs loved all the grass. We went the last week it was open so it was getting a bit warm but I'm very glad we chose to stay here vs. Chisos. We drove through the other campgrounds and this was by far the quietest and most spacious of the three at Big Bend. The bathrooms were kept very clean (other than the bat family that like to hang out here at night lol) and the campground caretaker was very knowledgeable and checked in both mornings we were there. Big Bend is a must see park and if you can get a spot here book it asap! We had to move spots after one night because I couldn't get 2 consecutive nights but it was worth it!
Benjamin I
VerifiedMay 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The stay was wonderful, with a very nice host.
Pierre C
VerifiedMay 9, 2023 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Scenery amenities, all was great
John C
VerifiedNovember 10, 2023 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Perfect location for visiting Southwest corner of the park. Staff were welcoming and very helpful. Be sure to reserve BEFORE arriving as cell service is limited
denis m
VerifiedNovember 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 030, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Cottonwood is a very comfortable campground. Setting up a tent in the wide, soft, grassy areas is easy. The vault restrooms are clean and - shockingly - smell good! Groups stay at the end of the campground and can be noisy at night.
Roger S
VerifiedNovember 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Good but primitive. Restrooms and potable water could be better. Park staff was very helpful.
Michelle W
VerifiedNovember 21, 2023 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Wish the bathrooms could be upgraded. Camp host was friendly and helpful. Beautiful park!
Bryan B
VerifiedNovember 21, 2023 • Stayed at: 025, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
ditto what I submitted for the 13th.
Bryan B
VerifiedNovember 21, 2023 • Stayed at: 025, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Very nice campground with plenty of space between sites so no one feels crowded. Clean, well-maintained outhouses! Communal spigot for potable water. Some cottonwood trees for shade, otherwise mature mesquite making everything seem very green and outdoorsy. It is a long walk or a short drive to the Castalon store for campers -- which does not really have much except the bare essentials -- so make sure to bring whatever food etc. you will need. Great wildlife within the campground itself, roadrunners, great horned fowl, javalena!
Location Cottonwood (Big Bend, TX)
Address:
Po Box 129
Big Bend Nat. Park, TX, 79834
United States
From Interstate 10, take State Highway 385 south to Fort Stockton and into Marathon. From Marathon, drive 40 miles (64 km) south on State Highway 385 to the north entrance of Big Bend National Park. Drive straight for 26 miles (42 km) to Park Headquarters at Panther Junction. Turn right at the intersection and go 13 miles (21 km) west. Take a left at the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and drive 23 miles (37 km) to Cottonwood Campground.
GPS Warning: GPS units may send you down Old Maverick Road, an unpaved, very rough road. Do not take Old Maverick Road unless you have a four wheel drive and high clearance vehicle.
Cottonwood Campground is accessible via State Highway 385, which connects to Interstate 10 to the north. Travelers can take State Highway 385 south from Interstate 10 through Fort Stockton and Marathon to reach the campground.
Elevation: 649 feet
Nearby National Park
In Big Bend National Park
Approximate driving time: 48 min
549 mi drive to downtown Big Bend Nat. Park (about 8 hr 58 min)
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
1PM
General
- Do not reserve campsites that you are not planning to stay in. A camper arriving the day AFTER the reservation begins is considered a No Show. A No Show may result in a cancellation of your ENTIRE reservation. Contact the park at 432-477-2251 if you are late or will not be arriving until the day after your reservation starts.
- Generators are not allowed in Cottonwood campground. Idling a vehicle to provide power is also prohibited.
- No Hookups or Dump Station. There are no electricity, water or sewer hookups. There is no fill/dump station available at this campground.
- Group Campsite is Tent Only. The group site is for tents only. RVs and trailers are NOT allowed.
- Campfires. No wood or ground fires are permitted in Big Bend. Charcoal may be used in the raised grills provided at each site.
- Pets. Pets are allowed in each campsite, although they must be leashed and restrained at all times. Pets are not allowed on trails or in buildings.
- Food Lockers/Wildlife. Javelinas, bobcats and bears frequent the area. All food must be kept in the food storage lockers or approved containers or in a hard-sided vehicle. Dispose of trash n the animal-proof dumpsters provided. Do not leave coolers or food boxes unattended at any time.
- Are you still camping? If you leave your site during the day, please leave something at the site so we know you are not checking out early. A tent, camp chair, stove, book, etc. Something of little value but that indicates you plan to return.
- Hammocks. No hammocks or other devices may be attached/tied to trees or any other natural features or objects.
- Border Crossing. There is only one authorized border crossing within Big Bend National Park, located at Rio Grande Village. Crossing the border in an unauthorized location is illegal.
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralA maximum of two motor vehicles, one vehicle with a trailer, one motorhome with tow vehicle or four motorcycles allowed per campsite. A maximum of four tents OR one wheeled camping unit and one tent allowed per campsite. Only 1 conversion van or other type of recreational vehicle allowed per site. Two (2) conversion vans or RVs require 2 campsites.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: September 9, 2026
